HEALTH chiefs in Worcestershire support Diabetes Prevention Week (May 10-16), which encourages those at risk for type 2 diabetes to act now to reduce the chances of getting it get sick of this disease.
One of the main goals of the week is to raise awareness of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention program, which helps patients build on their own motivation to make realistic changes in their lives, including what they eat and how active they are .
Access to the program is through a GP referral for anyone who has had a blood test in the past 24 months and can show that they are at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Residents who have not seen a GP but fear they may be at risk can quickly and anonymously review their risk assessment online at riskcore.diabetes.org.uk.
Over 500,000 people nationwide were enrolled in the program, and those who completed the program and were overweight or obese lost an average of 3.6 kg, more than originally forecast.
Richard Broggie, a local resident currently on the program, said, “The main goal for me is to get my HbA1c back to normal and lose some weight.
“I’ve already done both, and my goal is to lose more weight for the remainder of the program, keep my HbA1c normal, and make sure I can keep up with the lifestyle changes I’ve made so far.”
The medical director of the local clinical mission group, Dr. Carl Ellson, said, “We are delighted that thousands of people are already well on their way to improving their health and wellbeing thanks to this program.
“Whether it’s improving someone’s diet or making them more active, this program provides the help and support needed to make important changes in their life.”
If you are concerned about symptoms or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, contact your primary care doctor or nurse.
In Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the Healthier You NHS diabetes prevention program is offered by Living Well Taking Control in partnership with NHS Herefordshire and the Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group.
For more information on the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention program, please visit www.lwtcsupport.co.uk/about
